Looking for breakthrough ideas for innovation challenges? Try Patsnap Eureka!

Method of photoelectrolysis

a photoelectrolysis and photoelectrolysis technology, applied in the field of photoelectrolysis, can solve the problems of reducing the efficiency of the cell, affecting the entry of additional light, and consuming electrical energy, so as to increase the efficiency of the operation and achieve cost-effective effects

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-25
ITM POWER LTD FORMELY KNOWN AS STAMFORD MEMORY POLYMERS LTD (GB)
View PDF7 Cites 8 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A method of the invention involves the use of an MEA having an optically transparent membrane. Judicious selection of the membrane material may allow the direct photoelectrolysis of the species, increasing the efficiency of the operation. In particular, a method of the invention may be used for the photoelectrolysis of water, producing hydrogen and oxygen. This may allow cost-effective production of hydrogen fuel from a renewable energy source.

Problems solved by technology

As a result of this, the entry of additional light is impeded.
This expenditure of electrical energy reduces the efficiency of the cell.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Method of photoelectrolysis
  • Method of photoelectrolysis
  • Method of photoelectrolysis

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0011] The MEA comprises an optically transparent IEM, for example a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The membrane is irradiated with high-energy (e.g. UV or white light) photons to yield activation of the species. The collision with a photon may change the state of excitation of the species. In the excited state of the species, the removal of the outer electrons, and thus the creation of residual cations, is performed more easily. An assembly comprising a suitable catalyst may, if the irradiated photons are of sufficient energy, allow direct dissociation of water to hydrogen and oxygen without significant electrical energy input. This may increase the efficiency of the photoelectrolytic operation.

[0012] The membrane is preferably irradiated directly (i.e. not through an electrode), so that any gaseous product generated at that electrode will not interfere with the passage of light through the membrane.

[0013] Photoelectrolysis may be augmented by applying a potential difference acr...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

PropertyMeasurementUnit
Pressureaaaaaaaaaa
Transparencyaaaaaaaaaa
Hydrophilicityaaaaaaaaaa
Login to View More

Abstract

A method for the photoelectrolysis of a liquid or gaseous species, comprises irradiating an ion exchange membrane of a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the membrane is an optically transparent material and comprises the species.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a method of photoelectrolysis, in particular a method for the photoelectrolysis of water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A photoelectrolytic cell is one in which radiant energy causes a net chemical transformation in the cell. Of particular interest are photoelectrolytic cells suitable for carrying out the photodissociation of water, forming hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode and anode respectively. Water can be photodissociated using a high energy light source (such as a laser beam) in the presence of a catalyst (such as titanium dioxide) and a separating medium which prevents the recombination of the products. [0003] Conventional photoelectrolytic cells are typically arranged in a plane parallel configuration, with irradiation of the electrolyte occurring indirectly, i.e. the incident light passing through an electrode to reach the electrolyte. Should the photoelectrolytic reaction produce a gas, the gas will generate aro...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): C07C1/00C25B1/00
CPCY02E60/368C25B1/003C25B1/55Y02E60/36Y02P20/133
Inventor HIGHGATE, DONALD JAMESLLOYD, JONATHAN ANTHONY
Owner ITM POWER LTD FORMELY KNOWN AS STAMFORD MEMORY POLYMERS LTD (GB)
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Patsnap Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Patsnap Eureka Blog
Learn More
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic, Popular Technical Reports.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap|About US| Contact US: help@patsnap.com